Gerwyn Price is the Welshman who has gone from throwing a rugby ball into the lineout to breaking into the top 25 darts players in the world.

The former Cross Keys and Neath hooker, who had a spell with Gregor Townsend’s Glasgow Warriors before permanently switching to the arrows, is aiming high.

He’s up to number 23 in the world rankings and has also been creating waves away from the oche after becoming involved in a show-selling war of words with two-time world champion Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis.

Englishman Lewis launched a tirade at the self-styled ‘Iceman’ after defeating him 11-5 in the last 16 of the World Matchplay tournament.

Lewis, who was beaten by Price in last year’s tournament, had feuded with Price on social media and fired a parting shot after winning the grudge match.

“The reflection was, I was rubbish, and that just shows why he’s nobody, simple as that. He turned up and bottled it,” said Lewis.

“He’s a big mouth who’s never won anything and never will win anything as he’s got no respect for anyone.”

Price laughed off the row, which has thrust darts into the spotlight, saying: “I made one comment. It was a little bit of banter and he started ‘crying’ and took it out of all proportion. I haven’t got anything against him.”

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Just two-and-a-half years later, Price has climbed to a high of 23 in the world rankings and has plans to break into the top 16 and then the top eight.

“I’m confident I can beat anybody. Every darts thrower wants to be in the Premier League and that’s probably my major objective but of course everybody also wants to be world champion,” said Price.

The 31-year-old failed to hit bullseye as a professional during his rugby career, much to the surprise of his coaches at Cross Keys.

But Price, who believes the hand to eye co-ordination he developed throwing a ball into the lineout may help his accuracy at the dart board, doesn’t have any regrets.

Gerwyn Price of Coss Keys in 2012

“There’s a lot of politics in team games like rugby and football, where you are reliant on the decision of others whether you get a chance or not,” he said.

“Darts is good because it’s an individual sport. If you have got the talent, it’s down to you.

“I’m glad I choose darts and don’t have any regrets as I was probably coming towards the end of my career as a rugby player.

“I was doing alright at darts and had to make a choice because you can’t really do both.”

Price couldn’t risk sustaining an injury to his throwing hand playing rugby and, with lucrative money to be won on the burgeoning darts circuit, it was an easy choice to make.

The Aberbargoed-based marksman practises for up to three hours a day and has a packed diary of events leading up to December’s Professional Darts Council World Championship.

And he hopes to learn from his latest feisty encounter with Lewis, confiding: “I probably got too caught up in the emotion and the atmosphere.

“Lewis has been doing it for years and years, taking swipes at opponents, but I’ll know what to expect next time.

“I should have probably concentrated on the darts a little bit more than the banter because I have got nothing to lose against the top players as the underdog.

“Playing with these guys week-in, week-out and knowing that you can beat them gives you confidence and you need that in this game; everybody has the talent but you need that 2% upstairs, and when you’ve got that it’s a much easier game.”